Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has been dealt a dire new warning that her plans to change school uniform requirements could have a major unintended impact on children.
Labour wants to bring in new legislation limiting the number of branded items a school can request parents buy for their children.
Ms Phillipson plans to limit the number of branded uniforms and PE kits to just three items, which she insists will help hard-up parents with the .
But critics of the planned education policy have warned the Government it could lead to a worsening of children’s mental health and bullying.
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Bridget Phillipson insists the policy will help struggling parents (Image: Getty)
According to polling by the Schoolwear Association, seen by the Daily Express, school leaders believe that uniforms boost meritocracy and reduce the stigma of poorer students.
Shocking research reveals that school absences rise by a whopping third on non-uniform days, suggesting children face anxiety about picking the right clothes.
The survey also found that 88% of school leaders say branded uniform items reduce visible inequalities, preventing a divide between pupils wearing fashionable items and those with families who can only afford basic clothing.
In addition, 78% of school leaders report that school-specific items improve behaviour and academic performance in the classroom.
Campaigners against Ms Phillipson’s uniform policy argue these changes will prove much more harmful than mobile phones in schools.
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Matthew Easter, chairman of the Schoolwear Association, told the Express: “It’s absolutely clear that the Government’s policy to cap school uniform and PE kits to this degree will have serious unintended consequences.
“School-specific uniform is a vital part of school life — helping to create a sense of belonging, promoting good behaviour, and ensuring all pupils are on a level playing field.
“Removing school-specific uniforms and kits will increase inequality in schools, making it harder for teachers to enforce standards, and ultimately worsening the very issues the Government is trying to address.
“We urge ministers to listen to school leaders who overwhelmingly support uniform policies that ensure fairness, discipline, and a sense of belonging. “
Tory shadow education minister Neil O’Brien, who has already branded Ms Phillipson’s school Bill as “a disaster”, said the uniform change marks an “unwelcome return to an era in which ministers think they can run everything with central micromanagement”.
He said: “When you start having Whitehall managing ties and school jumpers, you know a new era of red tape and meddling is coming.
“Given the big real-world challenges of attendance, teacher retention and behaviour, this would not be my priority for how school leaders spend their time.
“Indeed, if ministers wanted to cut costs they could take VAT off school uniform: weirdly uniform for over-14s gets taxed. But they won’t do that.”